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Crap. I was suddenly nervous to be alone with her. Was she going to pump me for information? I had no idea how Asher wanted me to handle his mother.
“Yeah, I guess,” I answered noncommittally.
“He’s got a lot riding on this year, with hockey and getting his grades on track after transferring.”
Melly cleaned the sink while I wiped down the table.
“I know. He’s doing so well already, though. He’ll be back on top soon, I can tell.”
Melly nodded. “You sound as confident in him as I am. That’s nice to hear. He needs a cheerleader in his corner.”
I blinked at her, wondering if she meant an actual cheerleader or what.
“And for the right woman, he’ll be the rock at your back, the unyielding support to reach whatever dreams you might have. He doesn’t come from much, as you can see.” She gestured around her small, humble kitchen. “But he knows what matters in life.”
“He comes from a lot,” I blurted, suddenly desperate for this all-knowing, benevolent maternal figure to understand the true richness of her home and family. “I mean, what all of you have here…the life you gave your children — it’s a lot.”
I felt her still. She was staring at the side of my face, and I didn’t dare face her directly.
“It’s beautiful and rare. Special.”
Her hand fell on my arm. I looked down at her kind face.
“I’m going to admit something. I was worried when I heard Asher was dating someone from such a different background than him, but I’m not worried anymore.” Melly nodded to herself. “Growing up, Asher was always responsible, protective, taking the world on his shoulders…So serious, even as a little boy. He has fun with you. I can see it a mile away. He needs that. He deserves it.”
Yeah, he was responsible alright, for me losing my mind. Melly must have seen my cynical expression, because she chuckled.
“He might not act like it all the time, but believe me, you won’t meet a more responsible boy than him. Odd, considering who he came from—” she bit off.
I tensed. Was she going to share something about Asher’s dad? I was well aware of the standstill we’d come to in the investigation. Maybe this was a chance to shake something loose.
“Do you keep in touch with Asher and Eve’s dad?” I wondered and lowered myself into a seat to wait for Eve to reappear. I really wanted to keep this conversation going.
Melly shook her head. “Take it from me, an irresponsible man isn’t worth a damn thing. Knowing Brett, he’s no doubt off living the careless life he loved.”
“Brett,” I repeated, freaking out inside. I had a first name. “You met him in Hade Harbor?”
Melly nodded and cast a quick glance toward the doorway, making sure we were still alone. “I don’t know why I’m thinking about that man tonight. Asher brought him up again…he hasn’t done that in a while.” She let out a long sigh. “I’d thought we were done with that.” She eyed me. “Has he talked to you about wanting to find him?”
I had a split second to decide what to say. I settled for shaking my head. “He wants to find him?” I prompted.
She sat opposite me at the kitchen table. “Yes. Despite being a perfectly wonderful man without his influence. It’s biological, I guess. Half of him is a stranger…he wants to know where he came from. Blood calling to know its history.”
Melly was quiet, lost in thought. Clearly, her son’s refusal to give up asking about his dad was a source of pain for her. No wonder he didn’t like asking her about it.
“He got everything he needed from that man. Smarts and strength…that damn fondness of riding.” Melly snorted.
“Riding?” I repeated. “Like motorcycles?”
She shook her head. “No, not motorcycles — do you want to go and check on them? I forgot ice-cream for desert. I’ll just pop out for it.”
I got up. “Of course, no problem.”
Brett. I had a starting point.
Asher
Fixing the damn drip had turned into getting drenched in the shower and somehow managing to rip the entire thing off the wall. It was Beckett’s fault; he had no finesse. It wasn’t until Eve showed up and figured out how to work the catch – right after she laughed her ass off at both of us looking like half-drowned rats – that we finished the annoying little job.
